DALE TALLON: Firing Kevin Dineen Was Tough, Team Needs to Turn Things Around

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

BOSTON -- Dale Tallon said today that firing Kevin Dineen and his coaching staff was "one of the hardest things I've had to do" and everyone -- including himself -- was responsible for Florida's poor start to this season.

The Panthers have lost seven straight, longest since the final weeks of Pete DeBoer's time behind the bench at the end of the 2010-11 season.

DeBoer was fired the day after that season ended and Dineen was hired months later.

Peter Horachek, former Nashville assistant and San Antonio coach, is coming on in an interim basis. If things go well, he could get the gig full-time.

Former Panthers captain Brian Skrudland -- director of player development -- and former Florida center John Madden replaced Gord Murphy and Craig Ramsay as assistant coaches. Madden was in his first year as a pro scout for the Panthers and was in Nashville with the team a few weeks back to work with the centers.

Dineen was told of his firing this morning at the team hotel in downtown Ottawa. Tallon confirmed that Horachek was told of his promotion last night and he is currently traveling to Ottawa. The Panthers practice this afternoon at the University of Ottawa and Horachek is expected to have the whistle.

Dineen, Ramsay and Murphy are said to be leaving Ottawa and I haven't been able to reach them yet.